CALIFORNIAN: Local singers present 'Sweeney Todd'

Stephen Sondheim's multi-award-winning stage musical "Sweeney
Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" was a huge success when it
premiered in 1979. And the fairly popular 2007 movie, starring
Johnny Depp, helped to attract, perhaps, a whole new generation to
this haunting and grisly tale of murder and mayhem.

For 30 years, the stage production has achieved continuous
success in the professional arena as well as amateur venues. About
nine years ago, a slightly shorter, concert-style production of the
show was developed. And, like its original, this rendition also was
well-received.

Now it's Actors Contemporary Theatre's turn to unleash the shock
and awe of Stephen Sondheim's concert version of "Sweeney Todd: The
Demon Barber of Fleet Street," which performs twice only at 5 and 8
p.m. Saturday, Halloween night, at Old Town Temecula Community
Theater.

The production is directed by Paul Kehler. Kehler is attempting
a rather challenging task with this project; he's also playing
Sweeney Todd, arguably one of the most challenging roles for a male
performer.

Those unfamiliar with the concert version of 'Sweeney Todd'
might mistakenly think the staging is stilted with performers
merely standing at microphones. Not so. Characters do sing
throughout the show, but there is movement and they react to and
relate with each other.

Very little scenery and props are used. Therefore, performers
have the opportunity to utilize their pantomiming skills. Most of
the characters will wear black but may don a character-related
accessory. A traditional makeup design will allow characters to
appear sickly with pale faces and deep-set eyes.

The show runs about two and a half hours, a bit shorter than the
original.

Eighteen year-old Erika Czach, a recent graduate of Lakeside
High School, portrays Mrs. Lovett, one of the principal characters
who fuels the violence unleashed by the title character.

"Stephen Sondheim is a beast," she said. "He breaks every rule
in the book, but he is the most incredible lyricist. For example,
he puts ritards in the music where you wouldn't expect them."

Then Czach imagined a recent challenging experience performing
in another Sondheim show.

"My last high school performance was the witch in 'Into the
Woods,' and I thought some of the songs in that show were really
complex, absolutely crazy," she said. "But 'Sweeney Todd' is beyond
unbelievable. Mrs. Lovett is an incredibly difficult role. And I
have to say that I'm a little intimidated by it. I just hope I can
do it justice."

Czach briefly mentioned her opinion of one of the major themes
in the show.

"It says a great deal about revenge. Sometimes people find it
difficult to accept things and move on," she said. "Their
obsessions just take over. That's what happens with Sweeney Todd.
He can't let go of the tragedy in his past."

Czach then took the opportunity to describe her performing
roots.

"When I was 7 years-old, my parents asked me if I was interested
in trying out for a community production of 'Snow White and the
Seven Dwarves,'" she said. "I said yes and was cast as 'apple
dancer' and 'mirror dancer.' I loved every second of it and have
not stopped doing shows since then."